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Joseph Stanley Pierce, born on February 24, 1939, in San Jose, California, passed away on March 10, 2026, in Hughson, California. He died peacefully at Samaritan Village. Joe was a smart, obedient, observant boy, who grew up among his Azorean Portuguese extended family. He developed a love for its food, language, culture and values. He was his paternal grandmother’s favorite grandchild and was very close to his godmother, Frances. He had a great affinity for music and entertained his family by playing the accordion, got great grades, and as a teen would drive the family Cadillac very fast on a beautiful day if the road was open. He loved to look sharp and socialize, attending dances as much as he could, with the hope to meet the love of his life, which he did. He eventually met his future wife, Teresa Olivera Pierce. The couple married on May 7, 1961, at Five Wounds Church in San Jose. The third of four children, Joe was raised on his family’s dairy farm in Almaden Valley, here he learned responsibility. Joe helped build his family’s business until he branched out to his own dairy operation and moved to Hollister, CA with his beloved young wife, Teresa and their daughters. In search of greater economies of scale, they moved their dairy operation to Hilmar, CA in the 1970s. In the valley, Joe learned how to farm oats, corn and almonds. Joe had a passion for genetics and enjoyed involvement in professional cattle associations for registered Guernseys and Holsteins. Whether he was the president of a group, hosting a convention event, or supporting local 4H and FFA, Joe was known for sharing his honest, insightful expertise, and was always willing to help a young person or encourage them. His office held trophies from local to national dairy cattle winnings and dairy herd production awards. He finally began to say he was retired in 2024! Joe was a life-long devoted Catholic. He was from a family of men who were devoted to the Holy Spirit. He prayed to St Therese to help him find a wife. He sent his daughters to Sacred Heart School. He believed in taking care and supporting our nuns and priests often having them over for dinner. He was an active Turlock Pentecost Association member who also served as President. He liked feeding people and carrying on Portuguese traditions. Like his parents before him, he and Teresa helped build a Portuguese Catholic church, Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Turlock, CA. It was their shared labor of love. One of his most rewarding experiences was being involved with their youth groups. As he grew older, he was so happy and proud of those young men and women, whom he watched grow and mature into such fine people, now with families of their own. The most important lessons in life to Joe were; be thankful for what you have, love your family, ask God to help you! What made Joe the happiest about his life was being married to Teresa for nearly 65 years, his children and being able to provide for them, and finally being surrounded by grandchildren. Joe had great joy hosting when the family was all together whether it was holidays on the ranch, or family vacations in Carmel, one of his favorite places since a young man. Joe is survived by his wife of 65 years, Teresa; their children, Elizabeth (Albert) Nunes, Teresa (Jim) Shiner, Monica (Torre) Reich, Anne (Mike) Gabrys; and 12 grandchildren: Isabella, Gianna, Mia, Lucia, Francis, Vincent, Ashlee, Tyler, Annika, Aila, Pierce, and Stella. He was preceded in death by his son, David Pierce. A rosary will be held at 10:00 a.m. on March 17, 2026, followed by a mass at Our Lady of Assumption, 2602 S. Walnut Rd, Turlock.

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Joseph Stanley Pierce

February 24, 1939 - March 10, 2026